911 Abuse

Yep! Their theory is that this fee will cover the cost of their Fire Medical program so that they city’s budget isn’t hit so hard in these tough economic times. So the next time you call 911 in Loma Linda, you will be expected to pay a $300 charge – unless you buy a yearly subscription for your household at a cost of $48 a year. Here in the City of Yucaipa, we pay a paramedic fee in our property taxes, so it’s really not a new idea.

But I think there’s another advantage to this program. REDUCTION OF 911 ABUSE. Yes, you heard me right, ABUSE. Don’t believe me? Here’s an example of some calls Johnny has run recently:

Drunk man calls 911 because his knee hurts.

Man with chronic back pain calls 911 because his back pain is “a little worse today.”

“Frequent Flier” calls 911 for a ride to his doctor’s office. When he is refused he requests transport to the local ER. (To get his prescriptions renewed.)

Bladder infection

Heartburn – ok sometimes that can feel like a heart attack, so that’s a little more understandable.

Here’s the kicker – my own sister-in-law called 911 when her daughter cut her thumb. She didn’t even need stitches.

If you’re not a fire or EMS wife (or family member) you may have never even though about how serious it is to waste fire department resources on senseless calls. But the next time somebody you know REALLY needs EMS and their response is delayed because they are on another call – well, now you know who to blame.

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4 thoughts on “911 Abuse”

I so agree! When my husband was strictly a paramedic and not a firefighter, he would run AT LEAST 2 calls a week to a particular person, so much so that he knew who it was when they were toned out just from the address. She would call to be transported to an ER about 25 miles away on Fridays and Saturdays. When they would go to her house, she’d have her suitcase packed for the weekend. She’d get to the ER and walk out the front door to her boyfriend waiting in the parking lot. That one really burned me up!

I’m new to your site, but have enjoyed reading it! I’m also a wife to a firefighter/paramedic, and I never realized the amount of 911 abuse that exists until after I met my husband. I have heard countless stories. I definitely agree that something should be done to curtail the amount of abuse on the system!

I was born a Cali girl, but raised with mid-west values that I hope to pass on to my kids. I'm a fire wife, recovering band geek, non-profit professional, mom of four, chief cook, housekeeper, tutor, taxi driver, field trip chaperone, social worker and psychologist to my family and (here's the part that tells you the most about me) a GEMINI!
Like most kids of the time I grew up watching EMERGENCY! on TV. And like a lot of girls, I fell madly in love with Paramedic Johnny Gage, played by Randolph Mantooth. I wanted to marry him so badly - and be a fire wife!
I'm ashamed to admit that my dedication apparently faltered over the years, since it took me about five years after marrying my husband to realize that I had actually done just that! I MARRIED MY OWN JOHNNY GAGE!
Is there a "Happily Ever After" in the fire service? Stay tuned to find out........